Norton replied in an e-mail that `` talks have re-opened and heated up.''

The Stars did not replay to text requests.

Andy Strickland, who covers the Blues for HockeyBuzz, said the deal is two years at an average of $850,000. Barch, 30, made $575,000 last season. If he is signed, that would give the Stars 18 players at approximately $41.7 million. They say they have an internal budget of $45 million. They would still need to re-sign restricted free agents such as Nicklas Grossman, James Neal and Matt Niskanen, as well as add a backup goalie and a few extra players. This would assume they are not re-signing either Mike Modano or Jere Lehtinen.

Barch is the team's enforcer. He had 0 goals, 6 assists and 130 penalty minutes in 63 games last season.